There are 30,000 stillbirths each year in the U.S. In New York State, that number is nearly 2,000, making it the leading cause of infant death.
This legislation would allow parents the option to receive a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth to acknowledge the birth process. Families who experience a stillbirth often face their grief alone as there is no acknowledgement of their loss. The state mandated fetal death certificates are filed but not issued to the parents leaving them with no documentation.
The bill has favorably passed the New York Senate 58-1 but has STALLED in the Assembly.
The bill is in the Assembly Ways & Means Committee who is responsible for determining the fiscal impact a bill will have on the State. Similar bills have passed in 23 states since 2001 and have reported no negative fiscal impact; rather it has generated income through certificate fees. As this bill has no negative financial impact, there is no purpose for keeping the bill in this committee.
Help us by signing the petition and asking New York State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to move the Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth Bill A8960 out of committee and to the Floor for a full Assembly vote.
Sign the petition today!
Dear Speaker Silver:
As parents who have suffered the unspeakable tragedy of having a stillbirth or as family & friends that have witnessed this tragedy,
we implore you to move Assembly Bill 8960 - Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth -
out of the Ways & Means committee this session.
Please recognize that this bill would provide for parents that have lost much. Allowing this bill to move forward provides an opportunity for acknowledgement, respect and closure. Moving the bill forward brings families one step closer to the choice of obtaining a Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth and the comfort of recognition.
Since 2001, similar bills have passed in 23 states and there have been no repercussions - fiscally or legally. However, the impact on the voters in these states has been monumental. These families have found a sense of comfort, completion and recognition as their legislatures have acknowledged their loss, grief and rights as a parent.
The Certificate of Birth Resulting in Stillbirth bill will bring much needed attention to this issue, thereby saving thousands of families from having to endure this tragedy each year. For those who have been fortunate to have never experienced this life-altering event: the pain, emotion, fear, and loss are unexplainable. The CBRS will bring much needed comfort and recognition to this tragedy. Take this time to be supportive to your constituents that are in need of your action. Move the bill forward during this session!
This bill can ease the indescribable pain that a parent must live with. It is intended for parents of stillborn children, and should not be viewed as controversial; for we deserve the comfort and help that the mandated fetal death certificate does not provide.
The opportunity for the New York State Assembly to afford comfort to the 2,000 New York State families impacted by stillbirth each year exists now. The Senate has passed an identical bill 58-1 and their votes have affected many. Allow the Assembly the same opportunity; an opportunity to allow families to mourn, heal and move forward forever changed, saddened by their loss and supported by those they have elected.
We are waiting to hear the voices of our elected Assembly Members. You have the opportunity and the influence to move the bill forward. Please exercise the power you have been given, the duty that you have sworn to and humanitarianism that lives in you.
